Day 1
I'm not usually experimental when it comes to my hair. I know what I like, and I like straight. My hair is naturally curly, so I'm a slave to the flatiron, but I stick with what I think looks best on me.
Time: 25 minutes*
Tools: CHI 1" Ceramic Flat Iron
* Washing and drying time not included.
Day 2
Ashley Olsen or prohibition flapper? Maybe neither, but I get so many compliments on my jeweled headband that I calculate how often I can wear it without overwearing it—math usually reserved for my favorite handbag. Maybe I can get into this hair thing, after all.
Time: 6 minutes
Tools: Jennifer Behr Braided Crystal Twists & Chunky Strands Headwrap
Day 3
At L'Wren Scott, Odile Gilbert dusted colorful eye shadow in each model's part, so I do the same, dabbing a shadow brush dipped in loose powder along the line for instant funkiness. As expected, I get awkward looks on the subway.
Time: 10 minutes
Tools: Make Up For Ever Star Powder in Celadon
Day 4
Clip in these fun colorful streaks, and you'll forget they're there—until your coworker asks if you're dealing with suppressed teenage angst. For the record, I'm not.
Time: 1 minute
Tools: Put On Pieces 16" Color Strips in Red
Day 5
A classic French twist is pretty and sophisticated, but too bridal for every day.
Time: 10 minutes
Tools: Scünci Bobby Pins
Day 6
The Givenchy-inspired pigtails are a far cry from my grade school go-to, but my friend's Little House on the Prairie jokes get old fast. Tip: Back-comb hair for extra texture before starting the braids.
Time: 15 minutes
Tools: John Frieda Luxurious Volume Bountiful Body Mousse
Day 7
The slick Gucci chignon is a chic alternative to an everyday ballerina bun—and just as easy. Create a low pony, divide hair into two sections and twist each, and then twist together, letting the hair coil. Pin down and you're out the door.
Time: 2 minutes
Tools: Goody hair tie and pins
Day 8
I loved the sweet, whimsical braids seen at Erdem, but my at-home attempt was too milkmaid. I book an emergency appointment at my salon on my way to a wedding, and the handiwork of hairstylist Fabrice Gili is perfect—Downtown Girl Does Garden Party. My date agrees.
Time: 5 minutes
Tools: Fabrice Gili, National Creative Director, Frédéric Fekkai Salons
Day 9
I have major ScarJo envy, and it has nothing to do with Mr. Reynolds. Her bob has me pondering a cut, but for now, a faux bob will do. Divide hair in half horizontally, securing the bottom length at the nape, and repeat with the top section. Loosen front pieces if you wish.
Time: 5 minutes
Tools: Scünci Bobby Pins
Day 10
Whatever you're probably thinking when you see this picture is the reaction I received. ("Umm...what is that?") My response—"It's Alexander Wang, people!"—didn't seem to clear up the confusion. File this under Never Again.
Time: 5 minutes
Tools: Bumble and bumble Hair Powder in White
Day 11
I have a new appreciation for the headband. Running late with no time for an elaborate style, I grab a silk scarf and tie it at the nape of my neck. I'm digging the retro vibe, and it adds a pop of color to my black outfit.
Time: 30 seconds
Tools: My own silk scarf
Day 12
A forecast of rain drains all motivation to style my hair, so I embrace my natural ringlets and let them air-dry. Wow, that was easy. "It's so pretty!" says one coworker with pin-straight, frizz-free strands. The grass is always greener, right?
Time: 1 minute
Tools: Kérastase Nutritive Oléo-Curl Mist
Day 13
Soft waves are always in style, so I divide my hair into small sections and grab my curling iron. The curls quickly fall, most likely because I straightened my hair first to nix frizz, but I'm happy with the subtle movement they create.
Time: 12 minutes
Tools: Hot Tools 1" curling iron, Pantene Curly Hair Heat Protection & Shine Spray
Day 14
The beachy-boho scarf-braid from my fave Hermès ad is so chic—great for an upcoming weekend trip to Miami. I give the look a test run, securing a fabric scarf to the base of a low ponytail and using it as one of the three braid sections. So simple, but best saved for vacation, as it's a little too summery for the current NYC climate.
Time: 5 minutes
Tools: My own scarf
Day 15
A heavy fringe is so rock `n' roll, but so high maintenance (weekly trims? No, thanks). Luckily, clip-in bangs are simple, and as long as you can find them in a perfectly matching shade, nearly foolproof. When I wait for a friend for coffee, she walks right by me. Apparently bangs are also very transformative—hopefully in a Zooey Deschanel way!
Time: 20 seconds
Tools: HairDo Dancing With the Stars Bango Tango bangs
Day 16
I've been lusting after the cool Proenza Schouler hair since New York Fashion Week, and my friend's going-away party is the perfect excuse to visit Fabrice again (he masterminded the runway look!). Thirty minutes later, I walk out with the Most. Amazing. Hair. Ever. I even consider sleeping upright for the rest of the week to prolong the fabulousness.
Time: 30 minutes
Tools: Fabrice Gili
Day 17
Still on my Proenza high, I attempt an easy, voluminous look. A few minutes of teasing later, my hair's ready for a Jersey Shore cameo. I comb it down and end up with a respectable pouf, no Bump-It required.
Time: 4 minutes
Tools: Teasing comb, Matrix Biolage Full-Lift Spray-in Volumizier
Day 18
The swingy, pretty pony seen at Jonathan Saunders' spring show can do no wrong—appropriate for work, happy hour, and date night. Just pull hair into a high tail and curl the ends with a one-inch curling iron. Make the look go the distance with a few spritzes of light hairspray.
Time: 5 minutes
Tools: Hot Tools 1" curling iron, Aussie Sydney Smooth hairspray
Day 19
I usually call this the Throw My Hair Up After a Long Day at Work style, but thanks to Sass & Bide, it's a trendy runway topknot now. I wear it to the bodega, and no one seems to notice—probably because three other women are wearing their hair like this too.
Time: 20 seconds
Tools: Goody hair tie
Day 20
The eye-covering bangs at Louis Vuitton are so runway chic, but not for every day. My version is too formal for brunch—hello, puzzled glances.
Time: 8 minutes
Tools: Bumble and bumble Holding Spray
Day 21
A severe side part coupled with slick hair has been a recurring trend the past few seasons, but perhaps it's best left on the runway. My coworker asks if I was wearing a hat earlier. "It just looks really flat," she says. I assume that's not a compliment.
Time: 5 minutes
Tools: Philip B Shin Shine Finishing Spray
Survival Kit: Kristen's Picks
From left: A must for flatiron addicts like myself, Blow Ready Set Blow fights flyaways and split ends while protecting hair from heat damage; a few spritzes of Frédéric Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray ensures my style lasts all day; the ultralight FHI Heat Nano Weight Pro blow-drys hair at super speed.
